Hi, I’m Sam.
I am an Author Accelerator certified book coach and developmental editor. I work with fiction writers of all skill levels, assisting them at any stage in the writing process - from story planning to querying.
I believe in Betsy Lerner’s words that, “…every person who does serious time with a keyboard is attempting to translate his version of the world into words so that he might be understood.” I would love to help you be understood.
“Book coaching is teaching. Book coaching is editing. Book coaching is helping someone determine the best way to bring their work into the world. Book coaching provides accountability and project management to help writers meet their goals.”
— Jennie Nash, Founder of Author Accelerator & author of 12 books across 3 genres
Why work with a book coach?
Do you have an idea for a story but you aren’t sure if it will work? Have you started writing and gotten stuck, or feel like the story isn’t going anywhere? Are you having trouble staying motivated and on track? Is researching agents completely overwhelming?
So many books don’t make it to a complete first draft - don’t let yours be one of them! While there is an abundance of writing information online, most writers find that working with a professional is more efficient than going it alone.
I offer a range of services including (but not limited to):
Evaluating manuscripts for style, structure, plot holes, character development, and more.
Helping plan your story or choosing a story idea (I know some of you are just bursting with ideas!)
Ongoing coaching to keep you on track and provide feedback.
Researching agents and preparing your pitch package.
I do not and cannot guarantee any particular outcome, such as landing an agent or becoming a best seller. No one can guarantee that.
For more information on how a book coach can help you click here
Services
I have services to address every stage of the writing and publishing process. Whether you are brainstorming ideas for a book, just a few chapters in, or have completed a first draft, I am here to support you! My coaching style is mid- to high-touch, honest, supportive, and actionable. I am encouraging, empathetic, and friendly. Along with ways to improve I always tell writers what they are doing well. I provide additional exercises as I see fit to help writers learn the skills to write better and better. Check out my Services page to learn more.
I specialize in the following genres - thriller, romance, magical realism, and Christian fiction. While I am open to other genres, those are the ones I have the most experience with. I do not work on horror, steampunk, sci-fi, or epic fantasy.
“a powerful story can have a hand in rewiring the reader’s brain—helping instill empathy, for instance—which is why writers are, and have always been, among the most powerful people in the world.”
— Lisa Cron, Wired for Story: The Writer’s Guide to Using Brain Science to Hook Readers from the Very First Sentence
Testimonials
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“Samantha was instrumental in helping me figure out the messy middle of my book. I am incredibly grateful for her feedback and encouragement. She is the best at finding plot holes and character inconsistencies. My book is infinitely better than it would have been without her help, and she is so much fun to work with.”
~ Laura Sandonato
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“Samantha is amazing and a joy to work with! I am very happy with the feedback she provided on my manuscript. She is very detail-oriented and caught many important things I had missed. She gave me a clear way forward with revisions and even took the time to message me her thoughts and instant reactions to the book while she was reading. It was very heartening to hear she was enjoying it and her passion for her work really came through. Her enthusiasm and skill really motivated me to continue with revisions and, ultimately, with publication!”
~ Robin Nemesszeghy
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“Samantha was an exceptional book coach. She got a great sense of me and my style and therefore found fantastic matches for my agent search. She went above and beyond in every way, from polishing my synopsis to helping write query letters. I would recommend her highly to any writer wanting to send their writing career into professional overdrive.”
~ Janet Lefley
Author Accelerator is setting high standards for the emerging field of book coaching through rigorous training programs. The Author Accelerator book coaching certification course is in-depth and intensive. It includes a combination of video lessons, written lessons, and hands-on practicum work with real-life clients. As an Author Accelerator certified book coach, I am qualified to coach writers using Author Accelerator's strategy, methods, and materials, but I operate independently of Author Accelerator and am not affiliated with them.
Get in Touch!
Schedule a free introductory Zoom meeting to meet me and see if I am the right coach for you. You can also email me at samhenke@writeforwardccoaching.com if you have any questions.